Annealing furnace



Ott 29, 1940. C, B, HOAK ANNEALING FURNACE Filed July 29, 19257 5 Shee'ts-Sheet 1 Oct. 29, 1940. c. B. HOAK ANNEALING FURNACE 3 Sheets-Sheet .3

Filed July 29, 1925'1| Patented oct. 29, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ANNEALIN G FURNACE l Clarence Hoak, Steubenville, Ohio Application July 29, 1937, Serial No. 156,382

2 Claims.

The present invention relates generally to annealing furnaces, and more particularly to a portable annealing furnace of the bell or crane movable type which includes means for supplying heat to material being annealed both through convection and through radiation.

An object of the present invention is to provide an annealing furnace which includes means for supplying heat to material being annealed, both through radiation and through convection.

Another object is to provide a portable annealing furnace which includes heat radiating walls.

Another object is to provide a. portable annealing furnace which includes heat radiating walls spaced from a refractory lining to provide an extended heat conduit.`

Another object is to provide an improved fabricated portable annealing furnace.

Another object is to provide an annealing furnace which has sectional heat radiating walls maintained in assembled relation by novel removable anchor tile and bolt assemblages.

Another object is to provide a portable annealing furnace including `a struc/tlnfl frame supporting a refractory lining, spaced heat radiating walls, burners between the lining and walls, and suitable circumferentially located gas and air conduits operatively connected to the burners.

Another object is to provide an annealing furnace which includes a continuous stationary base having a plurality of stations and a movable furnace of the bell type adapted to be located over a selected station.

Another object is to provide an annealing furnace which includes means for efficiently and effectively employing substantially all of the heating medium supplied in the treatment of material being annealed.

Another' object is to provide aV continuous stationary base including a continuous channel or spaced continuous channels, each of which has a plurality of openings to the surface thereof, and including a plurality of stations, each of which has a frame to receive a portable annealing furnace and guide posts to position the furnace on the frame.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in

which:

Figure l is a top plan view of a portable annealing furnace constructed in accordance with the concepts of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the annealing furnace shown in Fig. 1, certain portions being broken away for clarity, and the base being shown in section;

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the annealing furnace shown in Fig. 1, the base being shown in section;

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Fig: 4;

Fig. 6'is a section on the line 6 6 of Fig'.. 2;

and

Fig. l is anv enlarged section fragment taken on 10 the line 6-6 of Fig. 2, showing in detail burner, radiating wall, and casing construction.

Referring to the drawings more particularly by reference numerals, I0 indicates generally a portable annealing furnace constructed in accordance with the present invention, which includes a reinforced fabricated metal casing I I having side walls l2'and I3, end walls I4 and I5, and a top I6, all of sheet steel, or the like.

The side walls I2 and I3 have inwardly directed 20 flanges I1 and I8, respectively, welded thereto for a purpose to be described. Channel beams 2I and 22 are fixed to and along the upper edges of the sides I2and I3, respectively (Fig. 6). The top I6 includes along the sides double bent flanges 25 23 and 24, the free edges of which abut 4the channel beams 2I and 22, respectively, and are maintained in fixed position relative thereto by angle beams 25 and 26.

The casing I I,which is generally of rectangular configuration, is maintained as a rigid unit by substantial reinforcing. Vertical I-beams 30 are disposed adjacent and fixed to the' ends I4 and I5, and spaced vertical backed in pairs channel beams 3| are disposed adjacent and xed to the 35 sides I2 and I3 (Fig. 5). The I-beams 30 and the backed channel* beams 3| are connected at their upper extremities by gusset plates 32 and 33,

respectively, to Iebeams 34 and 35, respectively. The I-beams 34 and 35 are connected by gusset plates 36 to form, in effect, a continuous rectangular frame (Figs. 1 and 2). The I-beams 34 are connected by longitudinally disposed I-bearns 31 to the top I6 and the end walls I4 and I5.

There is connected to the I-beams and the 45 `Ibeams 31 a suitable hoist frame generally designated 4D. The hoist frame 40 is of X-construction and includes the enlarged I-beams 4I, 42, 43, and 44 which are disposed in the form of an X. The diverging ends of the I-beams 4I, 42, 50 43, and 44 are connected by gusset plates 45 to the I-beams 35 and to transversely disposed reinforcing I-beams 46 and 41. 'I'he converging ends of the I-beams 4I, 42, 43, and 44 are connected by top and bottom gusset plates 48 and 49, respec- 55 tively, to which is connected by bolts 50, or the like, a hanger bracket 5| having a shaft 52 at the top thereof around which a hook is adapted to be disposed.

5 The I-beams 30 and the backed channel beams 3| are reinforced by two series of vertically spaced channel members 55 and 5B which extend completely around the casing II. Small plates 51 and 58 serve to assist in maintaining the chan nel beams 55 and 56, respectively, in reinforcing positions. A continuous box beam 60 is connected to the I-beams 30 and the backed channel beams 3| adjacent their lower extremities and serves both to reinforce the annealing furnace a construction and to conduct air for a purpose to be described.

To the lower extremities of each of the backed channel beams 3| and at right angles thereto is connected a pair of short backed channel beams 62 (Figs. 2 and 7). The backed channel beams 62 extend inwardly to the depth of and are xed to the flanges I1 and I8, each pair of beams 62 being spaced by a gusset plate 63 which extends upwardly to the box beam 50 and in between the spaced channel beams 3| and is xed to both. A vertically disposed continuous plate 64, or series of small connected plates, is connected to the interior ends of each series of beams 62 and to a respective flange I1 or I8. A continuous plate 65, or series of small connected plates, is connected to and beneath each series of beams 62. Angle brackets 66 are connected to the plates 64 interiorly thereof for a purpose to be set forth (Fig. 7). It is apparent that a continuous L-beam, or a series of small connected L-beams, having parallel long and short vertical legs can be used instead of a continuous plate 64 and brackets 66, or series of small connected plates 65 and brackets 66. Short angle beams 61 are connected to the plates 40 65 and the beams 62. Short channel beams 68 extend between and are xed to the flanges of the backed channel beams 62 of each series. A continuous strip plate 69 is connected to the lower side of each plate 65 at its free end.

45 A channel beam 15 is disposed beneath the lower extremities of each series of I-beams 30. An angle beam 16 is disposed between each adjacent pair of I-beams 30 and is connected to the edge of the inner flange of each channel beam 50 and to the outer surface of the respective end of the casing I I. A strip 11 is xed to and beneath each channel beam 15 and is connected at its ends to the strips 69 which together form, in effect, a continuous rectangularly shaped strip. A hori- 55 zontal disposed continuous plate 80, or series of small horizontal disposed plates 80, is xed to the lower edge of each of the ends |4 and |5 (Fig. 4).

The casing II of the annealing furnace I0 which has just been described in its substantial 60 details is fabricated of construction members of suitable dimensions and materials to produce a rigid casing, welding being preferred as the connecting means. It is, of course, obvious that the particular construction members specified above 65 may be varied to secure the same or greater strength.

The casing II supports interiorly the re elements of the furnace I0. At each end of the car ing |I supported upon the horizontally disposed 70 plate or plates 80 is a wall 85 of high temperature insulating tile or brick. A wall 86 of similar material is supported by each of the flanges I1 and I8, which are disposed against the interior faces of the sides I2 and I3, respectively. Interiorly of 75 and adjacent each wall 86 is a refractory wall 81 of tile, or the like, w'iich is also supported upon the respective flange I1 or I8. The wall 81 overlaps the wall 86 by the cap portion 88.

Upon each series of brackets 66 and adjacent the respective plate 64 is a series of high temperature insulating tiles 89 which, together with the respective flanges I1 or I8, supports a series o burner blocks 90, each of which has a funnelshaped burner aperture 9| therethrough (Fig. 7). A radiant wall 92 is supported on each series of burner blocks 90 in a vertical position spaced from the wall 81 by spacer blocks 93. The radiating walls 92 comprise superposed blocks 94 of a refractory material which has a high factor of radiation, and are stacked through tongue and groove connections 95. or the like. Two longitudinal radiating walls 92 are shown, but it is to be understood that end radiating walls and associated elements may be used, if desired.

The blocks 94 are maintained in position by a plurality of long bolt shafts 96, which are threaded at one or both ends, and anchor tiles 91 having enlarged heads 91', one ofwhich is disposed at each converging juncture of the blocks 94, each exterior block having only two reduced corners 94', as is evident from Fig. 4, each interior block 94 having reduced corners 94. The specic configuration of the reduced corners 94' is clearly shown in Figs. 4 and 7. Each reduced corner 94 has a right angle shelf formed therein, the surface of which is substantially parallel to the sides of the block 94. The shouldersof each shelf are substantially vertical relative to the plane of their block 94, and intersect at substantially right angles. Through each anchor tile 91 a bolt shaft 96 extends to receive a nut 98. Each anchor tile 91 -abuts its associated spacer block 93 and is drawn thereagainst. Each bolt shaft 96 extends through a spacer block 93, a wall 81, a.wall B6, and the respective side I2 or I3 to protrude ex teriorly of the casing to receive thereon a spring clip 99 and a nut |00. Certain of the bolt shafts 96 are longer than others and extend through the space between the backed channel ,beams 3| as well as through the beforeenumerated structure (Fig. 7). This construction permits the removal of an individual tile block 94 merely by withdrawing two anchor tiles 91, for a slight clearance is provided between the reduced corners 94 and the grooves defined by the heads 91' and the spacer blocks 93.

An arch |03 forms the roof of the interior structure and extends between the cap portions 88 of the Walls 81, being associated therewith by longitudinally extending refractory tiles |03 which fit into the channel beams 2| and 22. Longitudinally extending refractory tiles |04 are also provided, though the main portion |05 of the arch |03 is of high temperature insulation tile. The refractory tiles |03' and |04 preventheat erosion at the point where the heated gases pass into the furnace interior. Between the convex side of the arch |03 and the interior of the top I6 of the casing is insulation |06, which may be of any preferred material.

A blast burner |01 is disposed beneath each burner block 90 and leads into the funnel-shaped aperture 9|. A branch pipe |08 connects each burner |01 with the box beam 60 (Figs. 6 and 7). A branch pipe |09 connects each burner |01 with a gas pipe IIO, which extends around the casing and which is disposed in a convenient position above the box beam 60. In each branch pipe |09 are a valve |II and a control valve |09; in

each branch pipe |08 is a control valve |08'. These valves are of any preferred construction.

In a preferred construction there are sixteen burners |01 along each longitudinal radiant wall 93. Adjacent each burner |01 is an inspection and burner lighting aperture H2 which extends through the walls 86 and 81 and the respective side I2 or |3. A removable cover ||3 is disposed over the exterior terminus of each aperture H2. It is to be understood that oil and other suitable fuels may be used instead of gas, such use requiring only different burners.

A blower ||5 is disposed at the top of and adjacent the end I5 of the casing and is connected to the box beam 60 by a suitabl-e pipe I I6. Suitable flexible connections are provided between the gas pipe I I0 and a gas line, the pipe I l0 being adapted, of course, to carry gas to thel burners |01. At diagonally opposed corners of the casing II are brackets |20 having apertures I2I therethrough. A ladder |22 is connected to the end I5 of the casing II, and leads to a walkway |23 (Figs. 1 and 4), by means of which an individual can manually engage a powered hook under the shaft 52. Peep holes |24 having covers |24 are provided through the end walls 85 and the ends I4 and I5 for inspection purposes.

. A suitable permanent foundation |25 is provided for the above described portable annealing furnace I0. Within concrete |25 are two longitudinally extending channels -or conduits f|26 which are lined by fire brick |21, or the like, although a greater or a lesser number of channels |26 may be used, if desired. Similarly, that portion of the foundation |25 which is adapted to lie within the interior of the annealing furnace I0 is faced with fire brick |28, or the like. Spacer blocks |29 are disposed on the re brick face |28 to receive in a spaced relation to the flre brick facing |28 the material to .be annealed. A plurality of apertures |30 having dampers |30 is provided in the brick facing |28, which lead from the floor of the foundation |25 into the channels |26 (Figs. 3 and 4). An I-beam |31 is embedded in the concrete |25 at each side thereof, the I-beams |31 (Fig. 6) being predeterminately spaced to receive in contiguous relation the plate strips 69. Similarly disposed and embedded in the concrete |25' are I-beams |38 (Fig. 4) which receive in contiguous relation the plate strips 11. There are usually four spaced I-beams |38 for a purpose to be described. Diagonally opposed vertical posts |40 are fixed adjacent the longitudinal sides of the foundation |25 and are is adapted to be moved by a crane, or the like,

between a series of permanent foundations or along a continuous permanent foundation |25. 'Ihe material to be annealed is stacked in sealed casings |32 which are placed upon the blocks |29 (Fig. 6) over the foundation |25, and the anhealing furnace I0 is then disposed about the material, the brackets |20 being disposed around the posts |40 to properly position it. The furnace I0 is lowered into position until the strip plates 68 and 11 are in contiguous relation with the embedded I-beams |31 and |38, respectively. A connection is made between the gas supply and the pipe I0. The gas and air valves are adjusted and the burners |01 are ignited as the proper mixture of gas and air is passed through them. The gases of combustion pass upwardly between the radiant walls 92 and the walls 81 and carry the heat by convection into the interior of the annealing furnace |0. The heated gases will' follow paths as indicated by the arrows A in Fig. 6.

A certain percentage of the heat given off by thel burners |01 will pass directly through the radiating walls 92 and will be radiated against thematerial being annealed. The material being subjected to the heat treatment is thus evenly and thoroughly treated by the heat through the passage of the heat to it both by convection and radiation. The material being annealed is thus treated on all sides, inasmuch as the gases of combustion follow the paths indicated -by the arrows A and the heat passed oil' by radiation is thrown directly against the adjacent sides of the containers |32. The gases of combustion exhaust from the annealing furnace I0 through the apertures |30 into the channels |26, whence they are exteriorly vented in a suitable manner.

It is thus clear that there has been provided an annealing` furnace which, by the use of convection and radiation, thoroughly and efficiently anneals material placed therein. All of the objects and advantages sought are obtained by the construction described.

It is to'be understood that the foregoing description and accompanying drawings have been given by way of illustration and example and not by way of limitation, the invention being limited only by the following claims.

What is claimed is:

l. In an annealing furnace, a wall, said wall 2. In an annealing furnace, a wall, said wall comprising a plurality of polygonal blocks disposed in a plurality of tiers, the blocks of the intermediate tiers being cut away at all corners, the blocks of the uppermost and lowermost tiers being cut away at the interiorly disposed corners, an anchor tile `disposed at each four-point juncture, each anchor tile including an enlarged portion overlying a portion of each of the adjacent blocks and a reduced portion .abutted by a portion of each of said adjacent blocks, a member disposed in abutting relation with the free en d of the reduced portion of each tile, said member overlying l a portion of each of the` adjacent blocks, and means securing the respective tiles and members in rigid relation.

CLARENCE B.l HOAK. 

